FSSAI’s red warning labels are still only proposed
The food regulator has placed a red-hexagon plan before the Supreme Court after the court criticised its progress on front-of-pack warnings. The packets, for now, remain unchanged.
The proposed front-of-pack warning system has not yet been notified.
FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal front-of-pack warnings for packaged foods high in at least two of three nutrients: added saturated fat, added sugar and salt. The plan was reported from the regulator’s compliance affidavit and is not yet a notified rule. So the red hexagon is currently a proposal, not a new feature on the biscuit aisle.
The Supreme Court’s February 10 order recorded that FSSAI’s compliance affidavit had not satisfied the bench. The court said the exercise so far had produced no “positive or good result” and asked the authority to return within four weeks with a proposal on front-of-package warnings. The case was filed by 3S and Our Health Society, and the court had earlier directed an expert committee to make recommendations within three months.
Under the proposal, labels could say “High Fat”, “High Sugar”, “High Salt” or “Highly Sweetened Beverage”. The warning would be one point larger than the nutrition table on the back. Phase I would cover products high in two or more specified nutrients; Phase II would cover products high in any one. FSSAI says the system is intended to help consumers, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. Exact thresholds, artwork, notification date and enforcement timetable have not been published in the material reviewed. The 2022 star-rating debate produced about 14,000 comments. The warning label has at least reached the table; the rule has not reached the packet.